People living near military bases where nuclear weapons are deployed face an especially high risk of becoming victims of a nuclear attack, or suffering harm from an accidental nuclear explosion. Due to government secrecy, some of these people may even be unaware of their proximity to the weapons.

Most nuclear weapons are not simply in storage. They are actively deployed – poised for use at any moment – and governments are engaged in costly programmes to enhance and expand their arsenals, under the guise of “modernisation”.

Some nuclear-armed nations are developing new types of nuclear weapons, testing new systems for their delivery and expanding their doctrines for possible nuclear use. All appear intent on retaining their nuclear forces for the indefinite future.